After marathon rounds from a large field of flashy race cars and highly motivated metal mashers, a Firestorm Four emerged from the Ten Grand Nationals presented by Fleenor Transmissions on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

But a 2:20 a.m. downpour called the battle with four men standing tall, shoulder to shoulder.

“It was painted and lettered in 1970,” Tim Barone said. “It's got 29,000 original miles, and a 337 cu. in. small block engine. The car's been in the family since 1969.

“The car sat in a barn from 1972 to 1989,” Tim Barone said, adding he climbed behind the wheel in 1990.

A horizontal boring contractor who drills holes under the earth, Tim Barone said the Corvette originally belonged to Jeff Lattner, his business partner for 25 years. Before business, they were very good friends.

“He's been in the family so long, we just called him 'family.'” said Tim Barone.